State Sen. Kathy Sgambati (D-Tilton) will be sponsoring an event to help raise money for local food pantries and home heating assistance programs.

Sgambati is calling the event "Neighbor Helping Neighbor" and will take place on October 18 at Laconia's Opechee Park House.

"The event is being sponsored in a response to the concerns expressed by our communities about shortages in the food pantries and the heating emergencies that could occur, given the cost of fuel this winter," Sgambati wrote in an e-mail. "This community wide event will, in a small way, begin to help fill local pantries. Funds raised will be donated to the fuel assistance programs to provide for emergency needs."

Sgambati is running for re-election against Greg Knytych (R-Laconia) in Senate District Four.